For the uninitiated, playing daily games on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings can be an enjoyable experience, but equally sobering is the fact that season-long knowledge does not always translate to success in the daily space. FootballGuys will bring you a series of value- and strategic-based selections from a number of seasoned daily veterans throughout the NFL season. Herein is another edition of “tipandpick’s Tips and Picks,” where we will examine the salaries of the RBs and TEs on both FanDuel and DraftKings for Sunday and Monday.
Below you will find a list of recommended players for either GPPs or cash games (sometimes both). GPP players generally have high-upside, but are too risky for cash games; cash game players are consistent with high fantasy floors. In some instances, the value (based on salary) for a player is so strong, he may fall into both categories…let’s have a look.
**Due to time restrictions, this edition of Tips & Picks will not have extensive background that describes how/why the selections were made; normal formatting will resume in Week #12. If you have any questions regarding the selections, tweet them to @tipandpick on Twitter. Apologies for any inconvenience.**
GPP TIGHT ENDS
Greg Olsen (Primarily GPP; FD: $7000, DK: $5100). Huge upside against a bad Falcons' defense...heavily used in Carolina's passing attack. Will be low-owned because those who pay up at the TE position will go with Gronk or Graham, not Olsen.
Jordan Reed (Primarily GPP; FD: $5200, DK: $3300). A better play with RGIII at quarterback...should get better each week as Griffin becomes accustomed to playing again. Plus matchup against a bad Buccaneers' defense.
Kyle Rudolph (GPP only; FD: N/A, DK: $3600). He's finally back. Tight ends in Norv Turner offenses are always heavily-used; he will be underowned and has upside against a Bears' defense that has allowed more fantasy points to the tight end position than any other team in the NFL.
CASH GAME TIGHT ENDS
Rob Gronkowski (Cash and GPP format; FD: $8100, DK: $7900). Best receiving option on a team that will be involved in a shootout against the Colts in Indianapolis. Redzone target extraordinaire.
Jimmy Graham (Cash and GPP format; FD: $7900, DK: $7000). Alternative to Gronk for cash games. Brees' favorite target in the redzone and he is generally unstoppable.
Travis Kelce (Cash and GPP format; FD: $5900, DK: $4000). Anthony Fasano is highly questionable for Sunday; if he does not go, Kelce will finally get a full bevy of snaps in this offense...monitor Fasano's status closely for a final determination! Cheaper option to Gronk and Graham, if salary is restricted.
GPP RUNNING BACKS
LeSean McCoy (Primarily GPP; FD: $7700, DK: $6400). His offensive line is healthy and he will turn it around. McCoy's rushing numbers are right in line with 2013 when he finished the season as the NFL leader. The Packers give up a lot of yardage on the ground, making McCoy a sneaky, low-owned GPP play after everybody was on him last week.
Alfred Morris (Primarily GPP; FD: $7300, DK: $5400). Great matchup for a running back with 2-touchdown upside.
Jeremy Hill (Primarily GPP; FD: $6500, DK: $4500). With Gio out, Gio gets the nod. GPP-only for me because the gamescript could eliminate his involvement, if the Bengals fall behind early. Fair price for the potential output, however.
C.J. Anderson (Primarily GPP; FD: $6500, DK: $4800). If Anderson gets the majority of the snaps at RB on Sunday, he is potentially a cash-game play, but the uncertainty regarding Montee Ball's involvement in the offense relegates Anderson to GPP status. The Rams do not defend the rush well, which should help the entire Broncos' running game, assuming Peyton wants to lean on it.
Bishop Sankey (GPP only; FD: $5300, DK: $4100). Getting a lot of looks in the Titans' offense these days and the Steelers are not stellar against the run, particularly now that LB Ryan Shazier and S Troy Polamalu have both been ruled out for this Monday night game.
CASH GAME RUNNING BACKS
Mark Ingram (Primarily cash format; FD: $8000, DK: $6200). Finally starting to live up to his potential and the Saints are giving him ample opportunity. If the gamescript plays out according to Vegas, Ingram could be seeing a lot of carries later in the game, which should boost his fantasy production; his opponents, the Bengals, are 31st in the league against the run.
Shane Vereen (Cash & GPP format; FD: $6500, DK: $5500). Not normally a cash game play, but should be heavily involved in all phases of the Pats' offense, as they try to keep pace with Andrew Luck and the Colts. Vereen should touch the ball nearly 20 times in this game, which should easily pay off his modest salary. High team total also indicates the possibility of a touchdown.
Ryan Mathews (Cash & GPP format; FD: $6200, DK: $4500). Back from injury, expect to see Mathews as the Chargers' bell cow running back from this point forward; Branden Oliver has been serviceable, but will likely assume the Danny Woodhead role of 3rd downs and passing downs. Last year, the Chargers leaned heavily on Mathews in the later part of the season and it paid dividends; expect them to do the same against the Raiders this weekend, particularly if San Diego jumps to an early lead.
Alfred Blue (Cash format; DK only: $3000). Arian Foster is officially listed as 'out' for Sunday's game against the Browns, which means that Alfred Blue will get the nod at RB. On FanDuel, his salary is probably too high at $6400, but he is an almost "must-play" at DraftKings with his $3000 salary. He needs 9 points to reach value there, which is only 70 yards of total offense and a couple of receptions.
For last-minute advice, player decisions, and injury news on Sunday morning, tune into the “NFL Gameday” webcast at 11:30 AM (EST) on RotoGrinders Live, where John “tipandpick” Lee, Al “Al_Smizzle” Zeidenfeld, and Dan “DB730” Back will analyze all NFL Week #1 games. You can find the webcast at: https://rotogrinders.com/live. All other daily fantasy questions can be directed to John’s Twitter page at: https://twitter.com/tipandpick
